Colorblind

^“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.“~ John 13:34 (NKJV)

When my son, Eric, was 12 years old, he fell in love (for the second time.)  Her name was Jasmyn.  I will never forget the day he came home from school and began to tell me all about this beautiful girl that he met.  She was smart…and pretty…and funny… and kind… He went on and on about her that day and for many days to come.

At one point, Eric invited Jasmyn to the house to play video games and I offered to pick her up.  We pulled in front of her home and out came this beautiful young lady, just as pretty as Eric had described.  The thing that I found most interesting is that at no time in any of Eric’s ramblings, did he mention that she was African American.

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Do you know why?  Because Eric is “colorblind.”  Not in the typical sense, but Eric doesn’t see “color.” What he sees is a person’s heart.  I was so proud of him that day and continue to be to this day.  He is now 23 years old and is the most non-judgmental person I know.

I was raised to love everyone.  When I was 5 years old, my mother ventured on a bus for three days with me and my 7 year old sister to visit her sister in Alabama.  I don’t remember much about the trip, but have one very strong memory.

I was sleepy and just could not get comfortable.  There was a gentleman sitting next to my mother, who politely offered to have me stretch my legs out on his lap so that I could comfortably take a nap.  My mother graciously accepted his offer and thanked him for his kindness.

This gentleman was also African American but my mother didn’t see his color.  She saw his heart and she taught me to do the same. I have raised Eric that very same way.  He does not see color, sexual orientation, religion, etc.  He sees THE PERSON and I love that about him.

With everything that has happened in our country these past few weeks, I can no longer bear to watch the news, which seems to air nothing but hate, anger and racism.  I do not bury my head in the sand and pretend we live in a perfect world, but quite honestly, it is a better use of my time to pray for our country than to spend that hour filling my head and my heart with angry words and violent scenes.

God created each and every one of us in His image and likeness and His command to us is to love one another.  While there are a multitude of problems that have caused our country to get to the ugly place we are today, I strongly believe that hate and prejudice start in the home.

No one is born a racist.  No one is born a cop-hater.  Racism and hate are learned character traits.

The future of this country is in our hands.  The change we want to see in the world must begin at home.

It is my prayer, that every parent in this country, and anyone charged with raising a child, takes God’s command to heart.  Eric is a beautiful example that tolerance, love and acceptance are also learned traits.

Choose love and teach by example because “colorblindness” can be hereditary.